Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Captain) in Side SIM: Wardroom (All Invited) Presentation Time!

Posted by Lieutenant Commander William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer / 2nd Officer) in Side SIM: Wardroom (All Invited) Presentation Time!

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Kastarak (Doctor / Counsellor) in Side SIM: Wardroom (All Invited) Presentation Time!
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Snip

Sega’a flapped his hands ‘dry’ from the sonic sanitiser, a habit from growing up in an isolate colony where most technologies were exploited by his brother for ‘science’ or recovered and sold to the highest bidder, and untied his apron to hang by the galley doors. He smoothed the wrinkles gathering near the creases of his dress uniform and grabbed a platter with fried Tellarite tubers to accompany him into the Wardroom, where everyone had begun to gather.

“Ah, Lieutenant,” he wove through the tables and noticed Blaze working away at what he assumed was something properly engineer-ish, “wonderful to see you! Do try the braised redbat. It’s divine!”

Sega’a continued his casual mingling until he made it to the table with Taggart and Kastarak, where he replaced the near-barren dish, and asked: “how is everything tasting, gentlemen?”

— Sega’a

Taggart had a full mouth of meatloaf and mashed and gave his thumbs up sign and nodding his up and down while mumbling Mmm. Sega’a knew this form of communication all too well. Plus the other one that Taggart used. Taggart pointed to the dish that he just put down and mumbled, “Wht isss tht” Upon hearing Sega’a stating braised redbat, Taggart made a weird face.

Captain Taggart, CO

Chris got up as he saw almost everyone was done eating and just enjoying each others company and went into the kitchen to the serving tray that had a white cloth cover over it. Picking it up he brought it out to the table and sat the tray down on a small table next to his seat but he did not sit down. Clearing his throat, “May I have everyone’s attention. Thank you. Another reason that I asked you all tonight was to give you theses…” He unveiled the tray and it contained medals. “I will give a little speech beforehand since you all know I love the sound of my own voice.” He smiled knowing that that was not the case. “Everyone here is getting the Starfleet Award for Valor. This is for going on the previous mission and defying the odds. I will now pass them out to you all and you can remain seated. The reason for this informal method is that these medals came from Section 31 and the Admiral. They were going to give you all nothing, but I intervened. Your citations will be for an act of valor that is different than what you all did, but you still get the award. It will be who of you all to learn and memorize this citation as you will not be able to reveal the real reason for these awards.” Without further ado, Chris began to pass them out to each member there and shook their hands and congratulated them.

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Dawson was taken aback. He was sure the captain had misspoken about everyone getting medals. He’d only just arrived aboard the Chernov. There would be no reason to be giving him any medal. Dawson simply sat back and smiled as the rest of the crew received what they had truly earned.

William resisted the urge to frown and/or roll his eyes. IT had been a good while since the Captain managed to convince Starfleet to give the crew medals, he knew it was important for morale but as far as he was concerned it was an unnecessary addition to his already overly expanded portfolio of commemorations he’d already gathered since arriving on the Chernov. He did not grimace which he did mentally pat himself on the back for.

When that was done Chris was back at the tray. “Next if for the personnel that went on the away team and for Lieutenant Commander Grey who went on board a Klingon vessel disguised as a Romulan. These feats of bravery and courage are what make Starfleet and the worlds we help run smoothly as you all have looked danger in the face and still pressed on. Now I will hand out the Starfleet Star for Conspicuous Gallantry to Commander T’A ria, Lieutenant Commander William Grey, Lieutenant Blaze, Lieutenant Symar, Lieutenant J.G. Kastarak, Lieutenant J.G. Pawl Bartario, and to Lieutenant J. G. Umbri Hawkins.” He went around the room again and shook their hands and congratulated them all again before stopping by the tray again.

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William grunted as if he’d been hit in the stomach, he was afraid his rash decision to board that Klingon ship would lead to this and as per usual he was correct. He put on a tight smile and shook the Captain’s hand “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcomed Will.”

Lieutenant junior grade Kastarak? Was the captain confused? Sure, Kastarak was the only ensign among the so-called senior staff clique on the Chernov, so perhaps the captain had simply said so as a slip of the tongue. But did it have a deeper meaning?

Dawson’s brows furrowed as Taggert referred to Kastarak as Lieutenant. Dawson had been studying the crew manifest and hadn’t noticed Kastarak getting a promotion. But remembering Taggert’s pension for flare that he demonstrated in Dawson’s onboarding, he began to wonder if he didn’t have something up his sleeve.

Picking up a box on the tray he went over to Ensign Kastarak. “To all of the astute of hearing. Earlier I said Lieutenant J.G. Kastarak. So, it gives me great honor to bestow the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade upon you.” He handed Kastarak the box with his new rank for formal wear on it. “Now you will have to get a new blazer with the correct wrist stripes. Which I have right here.” At that moment Sega’A came out with Kastaraks new jacket with his new rank on it and his medals and ribbons placed.

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It did have a deeper meaning. In his gut, Kastarak felt a fluttery feeling. He purged it immediately, he knew what it meant: excitement. It was a primeval and unnecessary emotion, and – had he not purged the emotions so quickly – he would have felt embarrassment for feeling excited about this. He knew he had done a good job – logically he deserved it, yet it came as a surprise to him. He had not expected it, nor thought about it. He took off the mess uniform blazer he was wearing, and switched to the one the captain gave him. What was one supposed to say at this occasion? He had never been promoted before.

“Sir?” he said softly. “I find it difficult to convey myself in words.”

He paused, thought about what to say.

“I am honoured by your recognition of me.”

“It is I who is the honored one. You deserve this and much more.”

William raised an eyebrow, he’d been so preoccupied with his own, admittedly childish aversion to rewards, that he’d missed Taggart calling Kastarak a lieutenant. He gave the Vulcan a respectful nod, he’d earned that rank by now.

Dawson cracked a large smile. Kastarak had been the only member of the crew Q had been able to bond with on any level. He was very happy to see his friend succeed. Rather, he hoped he could call himself Kastarak’s friend.

Still standing by he looked over at Symar and Kastarak. “Finally, I have no award for this but you two saved my life with a very experimental surgery. You both will always and I mean always, have my gratitude and respect and unwavering loyalty. Thank you both so much.” He then gave them both another heartfelt and meaningful handshake. He wanted to hug them but they were Vulcan and would not like that.

Captain Chris Taggart, CO

What a strange situation this was. Kastarak shooked the captain’s hand awkwardly, his poker face being the same as always. “Thank you, sir.” he replied simply. He sensed the captain’s wish to hug him, but did not act on it. Kastarak was not a hugger, though he did long for intimacy… but not like this… Or should he see what hugging is like? He opened his arms ever so slightly, as to signal an invitation for a hug, but he changed his mind. It was not proper for a subordinate to invite to a hug with a superior. He returned to attention.

– Lt (jg) Kastarak (physician / counsellor)

CSO, 2O

“Well that about sums up everything. Let us all continue to eat and drink and you all can go whenever you like. Thank you all again for coming.”

Captain Chris Taggart, CO

Dawson leaned over to Kastarak and extended a hand to him saying, “Congrats, Lieutenant*.” He smiled and gave Kastarak a wink.

Lt. Q Dawson CWO